At least four injured as fire and explosions hit Utrecht city centre
At least four people were injured after a large fire and explosions hit a residential building in the Dutch city of Utrecht, authorities said....
The U.S. State Department said Wednesday that a proposal remains on the table to extend the ceasefire in Gaza, but the opportunity for an agreement is "closing fast."
A State Department spokesperson said the plan would include the release of five live hostages, including American Edan Alexander, along with a "substantial number" of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
"The opportunity is still there, but it's closing fast," the spokesperson added, emphasizing Washington's support for Israel while calling the proposal "compelling."
Meanwhile, the Israeli military announced the resumption of ground operations in Gaza, as a second day of airstrikes killed at least 48 Palestinians, according to local health officials cited by Reuters. A day earlier, more than 400 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes, marking one of the deadliest days since the war began in October 2023, Reuters reported.
The renewed fighting shattered nearly two months of relative calm following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza.
The latest escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was triggered on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking approximately 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel's subsequent military offensive in Gaza has killed over 49,000 Palestinians, according to the local health ministry, and displaced nearly the entire 2.3 million population of the enclave. The humanitarian crisis has also sparked allegations of genocide and war crimes, which Israel denies.
The Trump administration will suspend all visa processing for visitors from 75 countries beginning 21 January 2026, according to a State Department memo reported by media.
Saudi Arabia has informed Iran that it will not allow its territory or airspace to be used for any military action against Tehran, according to two sources close to the kingdom’s government cited by AFP.
Sweden is sending a group of military officers to Greenland at Denmark’s request, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Wednesday, as Nordic countries and NATO allies step up coordination around the Arctic territory.
Romania has reiterated its openness to discussions on a potential unification with neighbouring Republic of Moldova, following recent remarks by Moldova’s president.
Boeing booked more aircraft orders than Airbus in 2025 for the first time since 2018, official figures showed, even as the European manufacturer delivered more planes during the year.
Israel said on Thursday that its forces struck Hezbollah positions across several areas in Lebanon after accusing the group of repeated ceasefire violations.
Kazakhstan’s economy is set to slow in the coming years as external conditions deteriorate and geopolitical risks intensify, according to the latest forecast by the World Bank.
Representatives of Azerbaijan and Armenia conducted a joint inspection of the Sadarak–Yeraskh railway section on January 15 as part of ongoing efforts to restore regional transport links.
Armenia has reiterated its political commitment to ensuring unimpeded transport links between Azerbaijan’s main territory and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, signalling potential progress on one of the most sensitive issues in regional negotiations.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the side lines of the ongoing Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.
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